A growing family of disciples dedicated to sharing the love of Christ through authentic relationships to reach Southern Maryland.
We value forming and growing authentic Christ-centered relationships with one another and the community He has placed us among. We believe that through the practice of loving one another and meeting people where they are, we can begin to see others as God sees us: His creation, made in His image.
We value active participation in the worship, ministry, and body of Christ. We believe that every member of the church has an essential part to play in the mission of BridgeWay, and that our efforts must be joyful and authentic, bringing glory to God.
We value Christ’s Mission of growing the body of believers and creating disciples. We believe we are called to participate with Christ by making disciples both locally in our community and internationally by sacrificially giving our financial resources and time.
We value discipleship where followers of Christ grow in Christlikeness, fruitfulness, and knowledge. We believe spiritual formation best occurs in small relational environments, where authentic, accountable friendships can grow. (Colossians 1:9-10)
We value being a congregation focused on the Gospel, rooted in the ecclesiastical tradition of the Church, yet ever reforming towards the timeless truth of God. We believe that our teaching must be culturally engaged, presented in direct and meaningful ways, yet always centered on God’s Word.
We value raising children in the knowledge, reverence, joy, and worship of God. We believe this is best accomplished by involving children in communal worship, providing them effective instruction in His word, and strengthening families with support and encouragement.
We believe in the mystery of the triune God. God eternally exists in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections, and worthy of precisely the same honor, confidence, and obedience. All that we do is to the Glory of God. (Matthew 28:19, 2 Cor.13:14; Hebrews 9:14)
We believe that the Word of God, as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is inspired by the Holy Spirit, and the only infallible rule of faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, our Savior. Jesus is both fully God and fully Man. Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, died, taking our place and penalty on the cross, and rose bodily, on the third day. Salvation is through Christ alone. (Matthew 1:20-23; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:1-3)
We believe that all people, though created in the image of God, share in Adam’s fall and are now sinful, lost and condemned. Each human, by nature and choice, commits sin, and needs redemption through Christ’s death and resurrection. We must have a Savior. (John 3:3-5; Romans 3:23-25; Ephesians 2:1-5)
We believe that God offers forgiveness of sin and new birth through faith in Christ’s completed work on the cross. Those who repent of their sins and trust in Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Salvation is by God’s grace alone, apart from works. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5)
We believe that all people who have been united with Christ are members of Christ’s universal church, the Body and Bride of Christ. We also believe that Christ gathers us in local communities, where members love and serve one another, grow together, keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and dedicate themselves to proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. (Matthew 16:16-18; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:1-3)
We believe upon coming to faith a new believer is to express his or her faith in Jesus Christ by being immersed in water; we call this Baptism. The Lord’s Supper is a celebration, reminding us of God’s promise to forgive our sins through what Jesus did on the cross. We believe that these two practices should be observed until the return of the Lord Jesus. (Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:38; 1 Cor. 11:23-26)
We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to Earth and the establishment of His kingdom. Believers will enjoy eternal fellowship with God as they participate in the fullness of His eternal reign, while unbelievers will suffer eternal separation from God. (Matthew 24-25; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
We see ourselves in a permanent, rented space reachable by all of our surrounding SOMD (Southern Maryland) community multiple days a week while we build up funds for purchasing a building.
We see ourselves growing in diversity (socially, racially, culturally, and demographically) to be a better cross-section of SOMD.
We see ourselves with a thriving children’s and youth ministry, with plans and curriculums to teach them Christlikeness, Fruitfulness, and Knowledge on their level along with the importance of communal worship and gathering as one body of Christ.
We see ourselves with a growing college/career ministry by being seen on base and supporting Pax River events/services.
We see ourselves with a thriving life group ministry, as life groups are the lifeblood of our church where relationships, discipleship, accountability will grow the most.
We see greater collaboration amongst individuals, ministries, life groups, and other churches, everyone with their own roles and responsibilities but with a common goal, working together, and moving in one direction.
We see discipleship relationships for all levels of maturity within the church.
Strengthen Marriages: Aim for at least three different opportunities for marriages to be strengthened, have healing, and thrive. This can include a mix of workshops, retreats, Books of the Quarter (only one of three) and/or dedicated Bible studies. At least on must be presented by an outside voice.
Outreach and Growth: Strive to provide at least three opportunities for church members to actively turn outward and serve the community of St. Mary’s County through service, community events, and pay-it-forward projects. Each major ministry should aim to establish one recurring relationship with a service organization (eg. CareNet, Christmas in April, Soup Kitchen) or spiritual growth opportunity by the end of the year. (Prioritization is given to involving other churches over going alone wherever possible.)
Life Groups: Facilitate and promote Life Groups as well as Triads by providing training materials and events that empower discipleship/coaching relationships. Our target is at least five new and active triads by the end of the year. Life Groups will do one significant church-wide study by the Advent season. Groups will be encouraged to do life together in fellowship, accountability, caring for one another, and service.
Youth: Create a weekly opportunity for our ever-growing youth population to have fellowship and age-appropriate study.
